It holds in six pages, but the title reveals the essential: “100 % savings, 0 % tax increase”. On Wednesday, July 2, Laurent Wauquiez presented the “Budget Pact” of the Les Républicains (LR) Group of Deputies (LR), which he presides over the National Assembly. Behind the figures, the message is very political and addresses François Bayrou. In search of 40 billion euros in savings, the Prime Minister must reveal a roadmap in mid-July to prepare for the examination of a budget of all dangers in the fall. Rather than reacting, the right prefers to act, and already painted a red line in front of Matignon. “We are convinced that 100 % of the restoration of the budgetary balance in France must be based on savings and no tax increases”insisted Laurent Wauquiez, according to whom “Tax has become the morphine of budgetary policies in France”.
In the fall of 2024, the deputy for Haute-Loire had contacted certain targeted increases (notably on large companies and superprofits) because they were proposed by a LR Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, and that the latter “Had inherited a catastrophic financial situation”. Despite a comparable inventory, his successor does not benefit from the same leniency. An additional tax euro and François Bayrou will see LR – member of his majority, however – not to vote his budget. “It’s obvious”assures Mr. Wauquiez. Does his group have it to get there? “We all know that in the end, we will not vote for this budget, and that it will go through a 49.3”observes a LR deputy.
You have 62.91% of this article to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
